Nineteen years ago, a 7-year-old child stood in a war-torn country fearing for life. Today, he, as a U.S. Pvt. DeContee Socree, of Platoon 2072, Golf Company, 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, grew up in Liberia, Africa, in the midst of a civil war. Living with his parents, three older brothers and two sisters, every day was a struggle.

According to the U.S. State Department, from 1989 to 1996 one of Africa’s bloodiest wars ensued. It claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Liberians and displaced a million others into refugee camps in neighboring countries.

“People were killing each other,” said Socree, 26. “People were dying of starvation. I remember not eating for four or five days at a time. There was no water to drink. People were drinking sour water.”

His mother, Boffa Socree, told of days when she would hide her children, praying they would not be murdered or kidnapped and turned into child soldiers.

“They were young, and I didn’t want them getting in trouble,” said Boffa Socree. “I didn’t want them to have blood on their hands. We are a big Christian family.”

The young DeContee Socree first saw Marines while they guarded the U.S. Embassy in 1990.

“Seeing them in uniform, I didn’t know who they were,” said DeContee Socree. “I just knew they were Americans.”

DeContee Socree saw how the Marines guarding the embassy reached out to the Liberian people. They provided food, shelter and, most importantly, a sense of security to the people suffering from rebel attacks.

“The rebels didn’t go there because of the Marines,” said DeContee Socree. “It was well protected. Because of the help the Marines gave to my people, I decided to join the Marine Corps.”

The Socree family came to the United States in 2005, and currently reside in Charlotte, N.C. DeContee Socree tried for more than a year to convince his mother to allow him to join, but she stayed strong in her answer.

“No.” She asked her son, “Do you want me to lose you?” Boffa Socree said the thought of her son joining the military was terrifying. “When we think of the military and soldiers, the first thing that comes to mind is death. I was afraid for him, but it was his dream. He admired the Marines and what they did for our country. He kept telling me that it was what he wanted. He wouldn’t give up. So I told him OK.”

Sometimes kids grow up learning from what they’ve seen, Boffa Socree said. Decontee grew up having to be tough. Yet even as a child, he always wanted to help people. Socree was a child when his family was suffering from the civil war in Liberia. He was too young to assist in making life better for his parents and siblings. Now, he has chosen a life that will allow him to help people all over the world. Socree graduates today.